Through the Trails: Guide to the PARKS Board Game – Rules, Strategy, Tips
Introduction
PARKS is a board game that celebrates the beauty of the US National Parks. Players take on the role of hikers as they trek through different trails over the course of four seasons. The game was created by Henry Audubon and published by Keymaster Games. Since its release, PARKS has gained popularity for its artwork and engaging gameplay, plus the historical education it drops on players. I would say it’s a game that combines strategy with a love for nature and adventure and an appreciation of the beauty of our US heritage. Plus it features my own favorite national park, right on my doorstep which I do recommend you visit in person- Boston Harbor Islands! The goal is to visit many parks and collect memories in the form of tokens. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. PARKS is not just about winning, though. It’s about the journey, the experiences, and the appreciation of nature’s wonders.
Quick Tip for PARKS
Always keep an eye on the weather! It can really change your plans on the trail.
Rules for playing PARKS
Understanding the rules of PARKS is key to enjoying the game. Each player starts with two hikers and a personal supply of campfires. The game board represents a year in the parks, divided into four seasons. Each season has a trail that the hikers will walk, with each space offering different actions like gaining resources, taking photos, or visiting parks. The trail gets longer as the seasons change, adding more spaces and opportunities. Players take turns moving a hiker down the trail, but you can’t move onto a space with another hiker unless you use your campfire. After all hikers have reached the trail’s end, the season ends, and a new one begins. At the end of the year, points are scored for parks visited, photos taken, and personal achievements. The player with the most points wins.
Equipment and Setup for PARKS
To play PARKS, you need the game box which includes a board, hiker pieces, campfires, resource tokens, park cards, and various other components. The setup involves laying out the trail tiles to form the trail for the season, shuffling the park cards, and preparing the resource tokens.
Players get their hikers and a campfire, and then you’re ready to start. If you don’t have the game, you could try making your own version with homemade tiles and cards, but it’s a lot of work and won’t have the same beautiful artwork.
How to Play PARKS and Game Mechanics
The key game mechanics in PARKS involve resource management, strategic movement, and set collection. Here’s how the game flows:
- Setup: Prepare the trail for the current season, shuffle the park cards, and give each player their starting materials.
- Gameplay: Players take turns moving their hikers down the trail, collecting resources, and taking actions. You can visit parks by spending resources that match the park’s requirements.
- End of the Game: After four seasons, the game ends. Players add up their points from parks, photos, and personal achievements to find the winner.
How to Win at PARKS
Winning at PARKS involves careful planning and flexibility. Beginners should focus on understanding how the trail works and collecting resources efficiently. Intermediate players can start to plan their moves based on what other players are doing, and advanced players will need to think several turns ahead, control the pace of the game, and make the most of their personal achievements.
Best Strategies for playing PARKS
To win at PARKS, you need to have a good strategy. This means knowing when to visit parks, when to take photos, and how to use your campfire effectively. You should also pay attention to the weather, as it can offer bonuses or challenges. Sneaky tactics like blocking other players or rushing the end of a season can also be effective, but they can make you unpopular with other players!
Scenarios
Good scenarios in PARKS might include having a lot of resources or being the only one on a part of the trail. Bad scenarios could be running out of resources or having no good moves. In both cases, you need to adapt your strategy to make the most of the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I move back on the trail? A: No, hikers can only move forward.
Q: What happens if I can’t or don’t want to move? A: You must move a hiker each turn, even if it’s not ideal.
Q: Can I visit the same park more than once? A: Yes, as long as you have the resources.
Q: How do I get more campfires? A: Campfires are refreshed at the start of each season.
Q: What’s the best way to score points? A: Visiting parks and achieving personal goals are the main ways to score points.
External Links
For more information on PARKS, check out the official Keymaster Games website.
Eve Brownlee was a gamer before gaming communities on the internet were a thing. Eve grew up playing traditional, standard deck card games like Rummy and Bezique, taking an interest in the classics Backgammon and Chess. Parlor card games like Bridge continue to keep Eve active in the community. After a long career, primarily in horticulture for USDA in Maryland, Eve now travels and writes on The Pineapple (pineapples.info) and contributes to Quora/Pinterest topics. Contact Eve via email.
